System and method for providing optimal concentrations for medication infusions

Abstract

Techniques for medical infusions include determining a first infusion rate for administering a first medication to a patient. A fluid load is determined based at least in part on the first infusion rate. It is determined whether the fluid load exceeds a predetermined threshold based on a fluid maintenance rate. If it is determined that the fluid load exceeds the predetermined threshold, then an action is caused to inhibit administering the first medication to the patient at the first infusion rate.

1. A method comprising:
 determining a first infusion rate for administering a first medication to a patient; 
 determining a fluid load on the patient based at least in part on the first infusion rate; 
 determining whether the fluid load exceeds a predetermined threshold for the patient that represents a total fluid limit; and 
 if it is determined that the fluid load exceeds the predetermined threshold, then operating an apparatus to inhibit administering the first medication to the patient at the first infusion rate. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the method further comprises determining a weight of the patient; 
 the predetermined threshold represents the total fluid limit per unit of weight of any patient; and 
 determining whether the fluid load exceeds the predetermined threshold further comprises determining whether a ratio of the fluid load divided by the patient weight exceeds the predetermined threshold. 
 
     
     
       3. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the the total fluid limit is based on 120 milliliters per day per kilogram of weight of any patient. 
     
     
       4. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the total fluid limit is fluid maintenance rate times a predetermined percentage that is substantively less than 100%. 
     
     
       5. A method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the predetermined percentage is less than about 8%. 
     
     
       6. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein operating the apparatus to inhibit administering the first medication to the patient at the first infusion rate further comprises presenting data that indicates a different concentration for a supply of the first medication than used for determining the first infusion rate. 
     
     
       7. A method as receipted in  claim 6 , wherein operating the apparatus to inhibit administering the first medication to the patient at the infusion rate further comprises presenting data that indicates a different infusion rate based on the different concentration for the supply of the medication. 
     
     
       8. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein operating the apparatus to inhibit administering the first medication to the patient at the first infusion rate further comprises presenting an alarm that indicates an unsafe infusion rate. 
     
     
       9. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein operating the apparatus to inhibit administering the first medication to the patient at the first infusion rate further comprises presenting data that indicates an unsafe infusion rate. 
     
     
       10. A method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein data that indicates an unsafe infusion rate is at least one of a color or grayscale or crosshatching associated with the first infusion rate. 
     
     
       11. A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising if it is determined that the fluid load does not exceed the predetermined threshold, then presenting data that indicates one of a low infusion rate or an intermediate infusion rate or a maximum infusion rate. 
     
     
       12. A method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein data that indicates a low infusion rate or an intermediate infusion rate or a maximum infusion rate is at least one of a color or grayscale or crosshatching associated with the first infusion rate. 
     
     
       13. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein operating the apparatus to inhibit administering the first medication to the patient at the first infusion rate further comprises presenting data that indicates the fluid load. 
     
     
       14. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the method further comprises determining a second infusion rate for administering a second medication to the patient; and 
 determining the fluid load further comprises determining the fluid load based at least in part on the second infusion rate. 
 
     
     
       15. An apparatus comprising:
 means for determining a first infusion rate for administering a first medication to a patient; 
 means for determining a fluid load on the patient based at least in part on the first infusion rate; 
 means for determining whether the fluid load exceeds a predetermined threshold for the patient that represents a total fluid limit; and 
 means for causing an action to inhibit administering the first medication to the patient at the first infusion rate, if it is determined that the fluid load exceeds the predetermined threshold fluid load. 
 
     
     
       16. A non-transitory computer-readable external mass storage carrying a computer program, wherein execution of the computer program by a microprocessor causes the microprocessor to, at least:
 determine a first infusion rate for administering a first medication to a patient; 
 determine a fluid load on the patient based at least in part on the first infusion rate; 
 determine whether the fluid load exceeds a predetermined threshold for the patient that represents a total fluid limit and 
 cause an action to inhibit administering the first medication to the patient at the first infusion rate, if it is determined that the fluid load exceeds the predetermined threshold fluid load. 
 
     
     
       17. An apparatus comprising:
 one or more microprocessors; 
 a display; 
 a computer-readable internal memory or external mass storage; and 
 a computer program stored on the computer-readable memory or external mass storage, wherein execution of the computer program by the one or more microprocessors causes the one or more microprocessors to
 determine a first infusion rate for administering a first medication to a patient; 
 determine a fluid load on the patient based at least in part on the first infusion rate; 
 determine whether the fluid load exceeds a predetermined threshold for the patient that represents a total fluid limit; and 
 cause an action to inhibit administering the first medication to the patient at the first infusion rate, if it is determined that the fluid load exceeds the predetermined threshold fluid load.